Published: Friday, June 28, 2013 at 10:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 11:04 a.m.

Lajun “Pete” Burks will forever be known around Houma for his amazing skills as a quarterback at Terrebonne High from 1992-94.

Blessed with a strong arm, precise accuracy and dangerous scrambling ability, Burks earned recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in the state during his senior year of 1994.

But those who knew him best saw more than just a talented football player.

They saw a fearless young man who had the ability to lead an entire team into battle every Friday night during the fall football season.

“He was a great leader,” Burks' former Terrebonne High coach Pat Kee said. “Everybody listened to him. He could get the kids to play hard because everyone looked up to him. In my lifetime, I've been around a couple of people like that. Pete was one of them.”

Burks, now 35, is long removed from a successful high school career that led to college stops at the University of Arkansas and then Grambling State University, but he said those days a star quarterback have shaped him into the man he is today.

“It's a blessing that I was able to play SEC-caliber football and later coach and play at Grambling State,” Burks said. “There aren't that many people who come from Houma that get that opportunity. I'm just humbled and honored by it.”

THE FOUNDATION

Growing up in Houma, Burks said he developed a passion for sports at an early age while playing in TPR football and basketball leagues.

Raised in a single-parent household, Burks said he learned how to be a strong leader from his mother Shina Celestine, who served as a positive inspiration for him and his two brothers in Latronce Turner and Jamar Celestine.

Burks said his mother died a few years ago, but he knows he wouldn't be who he is today without her.

“My mom was the centerpiece of it all,” Burks said. “She always encouraged me and my brothers to play sports. She always encouraged us to work hard, make good grades and most importantly, be respectful. Those are the things that helped us accomplish all of our goals later in life. She gave us a good foundation and told us to always put God first.”

Burks said he loved both football and basketball, but as time passed, he became fonder of the gridiron game, especially after being coached as a youth by former NFL receiver and Houma native Frank Lewis. He said he was inspired by the success of former local football players such as Lewis, Johnny Carter, Richie Cunningham and others.

“All those guys came before me, so I was motivated by putting Houma on the map as those guys did,” Burks said. “They all served as great mentors to me, and they made the game simple. That's why I had success because those guys helped guide me along the way.”

RISING STAR

By the time Burks started at Houma Junior High School under coach Kelley Pugh, he was already a rising star around the area.

Jerome Amacker, a childhood friend and Terrebonne High teammate, said he and Burks spent countless hours working out and playing sports together. It was during those times that he realized something special in his friend.

“He was a real good football player and leader,” Amacker said. “I thought he was going to go to the pros with the athletic ability he had. He's a real good guy and athlete.”

When Burks arrived at Terrebonne as a sophomore, he took over the starting varsity quarterback job and quickly made an impact.

Amacker, a former running back, said no one was shocked when Burks took over as a sophomore. He recalled how the young signal-caller once entered a game as a backup and threw a 72-yard touchdown on his first pass.

“We were all happy for him because everybody that grew up in the neighborhood knew he was a good athlete,” Amacker said. “Everyone was looking forward to seeing his athletic ability. We knew he was ready. He was a coach on and off the field. That's why we called him ‘Coach Pete.'”

Burks went on to enjoy a spectacular athletic career at Terrebonne, where he led the Tigers to district titles. He was named to the all-state teams as a junior and senior.

He developed a close relationship with Kee, who quickly grew fond of his superstar player.

“Pete was a special guy,” Kee said. “Everybody liked him. He had everybody's interest at heart. He did what we coached him to do. He had no fear. He was very smart. He loved football, and he studied it. He was a great athlete. One of my highlights of my career was coaching that young man.”

Whether it was on or off the field, Burks said he could always count on Kee to be there when needed.

“Coach Kee wasn't just a coach. He was also like a father-figure for me and a lot of guys,” Burks said. “I really can't say enough about him. He not only opened his heart, but he opened up his home and everything for us. He's really good people and a great mentor.”

In his junior year, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Burks helped lead the Tigers to a playoff win over O.P. Walker, which featured former LSU quarterback Herb Tyler. He also helped Terrebonne defeat the No. 1 team in the state in Glen Oaks before losing in the state semifinals to Wossman.

“Defeating Glen Oaks was one of the highlights of my career,” Burks said. “It was a big upset. No one expected us to win, but we came together as a team.”

Terrebonne ripped through the regular season with a 9-2 record during Burks' senior year, but the storybook year ended early when the Tigers were upset in the first-round of the playoffs by Abbeville in overtime, 34-31.

Burks never fulfilled his dream of winning a state championship in the Superdome, but he said he loved every minute of his high school days. While he was the star player, Burks credited his offensive line (Tim Lucas, Jeff Siddeon, Clyde Scott, Calvin Tillman and Troy Gray), defensive teammates such as Gerald Stewart and special teams members like kicker Kyle Fields for the team's success.

“That 1994 team was real good,” Burks said. “In all phases of the game, we had everything clicking. I was real grateful we were able to have that type of success.”

But Stuart Vitter, who was Burks' backup quarterback at Terrebonne in 1994, said Burks was the man that made the team go.

“The guy was just good,” said Vitter, who is the current football coach at Houma Junior High. “He made all the passes. He had a lot of leadership skills with him. He definitely was the leader of those Terrebonne teams of the mid-90s. A lot of our success had to do what he was able to do. He had good command of the team on the field.”

‘BIG MAN ON CAMPUS'

Following the success of his junior and senior seasons at Terrebonne, Burks was known as the “Big Man on Campus,” as he was featured on the front cover of The Courier's 1994 football preview guide.

He was recruited by major college football programs such as Notre Dame, Florida State, Texas A&M, Penn State, LSU and Nebraska.

Burks said he enjoyed the national attention he was received as a top recruit.

“It was an honor being ranked with guys like Drew Brees, Daunte Culpepper and all of those quarterbacks at the time,” Burks said. “I'm humbled by that. Just being from Houma and being highly-recruited like that was an honor.”

Kee said Burks' maturity showed during the recruiting process because he never let the process get the best of him.

“He handled it real well,” Kee said. “Pete was older than his years. He had a goal in his mind where he wanted to go. He had to fight for every step that he took in life, but he had a plan for what he wanted to do, and he pretty much did it. He made it happen himself.”

Vitter said Burks didn't let the recruiting hype change him as a person.

“He was a major player, but he was still Pete,” Vitter said. “He would still walk around with a big smile and tell everyone hello and give hi-fives. He just didn't put on any arrogance. He still was one of us. I think that was why everybody liked playing with him and being around him.”

When it came time to make a final decision, Burks said he decided to take his talents to Arkansas, where he signed to play for former Razorbacks coach Danny Ford. Burks said he was influenced by several Arkansas players, such as former Dallas Cowboy player Anthony Lucas, to sign with the Razorbacks.

“Arkansas was just a family environment,” Burks said. “Those guys made me feel right at home. That's why I signed there.”

COLLEGE DAYS

In his two-year career with the Razorbacks, Burks passed for 1,404 yard with six touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also had two rushing touchdowns.

After two years in Fayetteville, Ark., Burks was looking to be the starter heading into the 1997 season, but Arkansas hired a new coach in Houston Nutt. After losing his starting job shortly after, Burks said he made the decision to transfer to Grambling.

Although things didn't work out in Arkansas, Burks said he will never forget his time as a Razorback. He was a member of Arkansas' 1995 SEC Western Division Championship team.

“It was phenomenal,” Burks said. “It was some of the best years of my young adult life. That's where I credit growing from a young high school player to a man. It was a great experience.”

Burks moved back to Louisiana and finished his college career at Grambling, playing under Doug Williams, who took over the program after legendary Eddie Robinson retired in 1997.

“It was history for me being the first quarterback in the Doug Williams era,” Burks said. “You can feel the enthusiasm and excitement, simply because Coach Robinson had just retired and Coach Williams was coming in there. There was some excitement. It was just a wonderful opportunity because it was a new transition from a legend to a future legend was great.”

After he said an injury at Grambling hurt his chances of going to the NFL, he said he started to focus on the next chapter of his life. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in public relations and got his master's in sports administration.

Burks also joined Williams' staff as a graduate assistant/quarterbacks coach at Grambling.

He said he had no regrets on how his playing days ended. He didn't receive a lot of playing time at Grambling, but he said most of his success came from coaching two-time SWAC All-American Randy Hymes in 2000 and SWAC All-Time leading passer Bruce Eugene.

“It was a great opportunity for me because I was able to be a player-coach and mentor to them,” Burks said. “Having played that position, I was able to help them and mentor them.”

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Burks, who is a member of the Terrebonne High Hall of Fame, had a short assistant coaching career at Ellender in 2004-05. He later moved to the Dallas area, where he resides today.

He has a job working as an advertising solutions consultant, and he is an event operations worker at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He said he has worked for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, a fellow former Arkansas player, in various gameday roles at Cowboys Stadium.

“It's a huge blessing to work with Jerry Jones,” Burks said. “Everything is going really well for me. I really can't complain.”

Burks is still involved in sports. He volunteers his time as a football and basketball official in the Fort Worth area.

He has a son named Mekhai, 7, who is following in his father's footsteps as a young flag football player.

“I'm just hoping that he falls in love with the sports as well,” Burks said. “It will have opportunity to follow him.”

Burks said the game of football was a way of life for him, and his talents provided a way for him to live his dreams.

But he said it was the support of family, friends, coaches and teammates that kept him going.

“I pretty much tip my hat off to the whole community in Houma,” Burks said. “Our local community has rallied around me. I'm just proud to say I'm from Terrebonne Parish. I just appreciate all of the support they have given me.”

<p>Lajun “Pete” Burks will forever be known around Houma for his amazing skills as a quarterback at Terrebonne High from 1992-94.</p><p>Blessed with a strong arm, precise accuracy and dangerous scrambling ability, Burks earned recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in the state during his senior year of 1994.</p><p>But those who knew him best saw more than just a talented football player. </p><p>They saw a fearless young man who had the ability to lead an entire team into battle every Friday night during the fall football season. </p><p>“He was a great leader,” Burks' former Terrebonne High coach Pat Kee said. “Everybody listened to him. He could get the kids to play hard because everyone looked up to him. In my lifetime, I've been around a couple of people like that. Pete was one of them.”</p><p>Burks, now 35, is long removed from a successful high school career that led to college stops at the University of Arkansas and then Grambling State University, but he said those days a star quarterback have shaped him into the man he is today. </p><p>“It's a blessing that I was able to play SEC-caliber football and later coach and play at Grambling State,” Burks said. “There aren't that many people who come from Houma that get that opportunity. I'm just humbled and honored by it.” </p><p>THE FOUNDATION</p><p>Growing up in Houma, Burks said he developed a passion for sports at an early age while playing in TPR football and basketball leagues.</p><p>Raised in a single-parent household, Burks said he learned how to be a strong leader from his mother Shina Celestine, who served as a positive inspiration for him and his two brothers in Latronce Turner and Jamar Celestine. </p><p>Burks said his mother died a few years ago, but he knows he wouldn't be who he is today without her.</p><p>“My mom was the centerpiece of it all,” Burks said. “She always encouraged me and my brothers to play sports. She always encouraged us to work hard, make good grades and most importantly, be respectful. Those are the things that helped us accomplish all of our goals later in life. She gave us a good foundation and told us to always put God first.” </p><p>Burks said he loved both football and basketball, but as time passed, he became fonder of the gridiron game, especially after being coached as a youth by former NFL receiver and Houma native Frank Lewis. He said he was inspired by the success of former local football players such as Lewis, Johnny Carter, Richie Cunningham and others. </p><p>“All those guys came before me, so I was motivated by putting Houma on the map as those guys did,” Burks said. “They all served as great mentors to me, and they made the game simple. That's why I had success because those guys helped guide me along the way.” </p><p>RISING STAR</p><p>By the time Burks started at Houma Junior High School under coach Kelley Pugh, he was already a rising star around the area.</p><p>Jerome Amacker, a childhood friend and Terrebonne High teammate, said he and Burks spent countless hours working out and playing sports together. It was during those times that he realized something special in his friend.</p><p>“He was a real good football player and leader,” Amacker said. “I thought he was going to go to the pros with the athletic ability he had. He's a real good guy and athlete.”</p><p>When Burks arrived at Terrebonne as a sophomore, he took over the starting varsity quarterback job and quickly made an impact. </p><p>Amacker, a former running back, said no one was shocked when Burks took over as a sophomore. He recalled how the young signal-caller once entered a game as a backup and threw a 72-yard touchdown on his first pass. </p><p>“We were all happy for him because everybody that grew up in the neighborhood knew he was a good athlete,” Amacker said. “Everyone was looking forward to seeing his athletic ability. We knew he was ready. He was a coach on and off the field. That's why we called him 'Coach Pete.'”</p><p>Burks went on to enjoy a spectacular athletic career at Terrebonne, where he led the Tigers to district titles. He was named to the all-state teams as a junior and senior. </p><p>He developed a close relationship with Kee, who quickly grew fond of his superstar player. </p><p>“Pete was a special guy,” Kee said. “Everybody liked him. He had everybody's interest at heart. He did what we coached him to do. He had no fear. He was very smart. He loved football, and he studied it. He was a great athlete. One of my highlights of my career was coaching that young man.”</p><p>Whether it was on or off the field, Burks said he could always count on Kee to be there when needed. </p><p>“Coach Kee wasn't just a coach. He was also like a father-figure for me and a lot of guys,” Burks said. “I really can't say enough about him. He not only opened his heart, but he opened up his home and everything for us. He's really good people and a great mentor.” </p><p>In his junior year, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Burks helped lead the Tigers to a playoff win over O.P. Walker, which featured former LSU quarterback Herb Tyler. He also helped Terrebonne defeat the No. 1 team in the state in Glen Oaks before losing in the state semifinals to Wossman. </p><p>“Defeating Glen Oaks was one of the highlights of my career,” Burks said. “It was a big upset. No one expected us to win, but we came together as a team.” </p><p>Terrebonne ripped through the regular season with a 9-2 record during Burks' senior year, but the storybook year ended early when the Tigers were upset in the first-round of the playoffs by Abbeville in overtime, 34-31. </p><p>Burks never fulfilled his dream of winning a state championship in the Superdome, but he said he loved every minute of his high school days. While he was the star player, Burks credited his offensive line (Tim Lucas, Jeff Siddeon, Clyde Scott, Calvin Tillman and Troy Gray), defensive teammates such as Gerald Stewart and special teams members like kicker Kyle Fields for the team's success.</p><p>“That 1994 team was real good,” Burks said. “In all phases of the game, we had everything clicking. I was real grateful we were able to have that type of success.” </p><p>But Stuart Vitter, who was Burks' backup quarterback at Terrebonne in 1994, said Burks was the man that made the team go.</p><p>“The guy was just good,” said Vitter, who is the current football coach at Houma Junior High. “He made all the passes. He had a lot of leadership skills with him. He definitely was the leader of those Terrebonne teams of the mid-90s. A lot of our success had to do what he was able to do. He had good command of the team on the field.” </p><p>'BIG MAN ON CAMPUS'</p><p>Following the success of his junior and senior seasons at Terrebonne, Burks was known as the “Big Man on Campus,” as he was featured on the front cover of The Courier's 1994 football preview guide. </p><p>He was recruited by major college football programs such as Notre Dame, Florida State, Texas A&M, Penn State, LSU and Nebraska. </p><p>Burks said he enjoyed the national attention he was received as a top recruit. </p><p>“It was an honor being ranked with guys like Drew Brees, Daunte Culpepper and all of those quarterbacks at the time,” Burks said. “I'm humbled by that. Just being from Houma and being highly-recruited like that was an honor.” </p><p>Kee said Burks' maturity showed during the recruiting process because he never let the process get the best of him.</p><p>“He handled it real well,” Kee said. “Pete was older than his years. He had a goal in his mind where he wanted to go. He had to fight for every step that he took in life, but he had a plan for what he wanted to do, and he pretty much did it. He made it happen himself.”</p><p>Vitter said Burks didn't let the recruiting hype change him as a person.</p><p>“He was a major player, but he was still Pete,” Vitter said. “He would still walk around with a big smile and tell everyone hello and give hi-fives. He just didn't put on any arrogance. He still was one of us. I think that was why everybody liked playing with him and being around him.” </p><p>When it came time to make a final decision, Burks said he decided to take his talents to Arkansas, where he signed to play for former Razorbacks coach Danny Ford. Burks said he was influenced by several Arkansas players, such as former Dallas Cowboy player Anthony Lucas, to sign with the Razorbacks.</p><p>“Arkansas was just a family environment,” Burks said. “Those guys made me feel right at home. That's why I signed there.” </p><p>COLLEGE DAYS</p><p>In his two-year career with the Razorbacks, Burks passed for 1,404 yard with six touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also had two rushing touchdowns. </p><p>After two years in Fayetteville, Ark., Burks was looking to be the starter heading into the 1997 season, but Arkansas hired a new coach in Houston Nutt. After losing his starting job shortly after, Burks said he made the decision to transfer to Grambling.</p><p>Although things didn't work out in Arkansas, Burks said he will never forget his time as a Razorback. He was a member of Arkansas' 1995 SEC Western Division Championship team. </p><p>“It was phenomenal,” Burks said. “It was some of the best years of my young adult life. That's where I credit growing from a young high school player to a man. It was a great experience.” </p><p>Burks moved back to Louisiana and finished his college career at Grambling, playing under Doug Williams, who took over the program after legendary Eddie Robinson retired in 1997. </p><p>“It was history for me being the first quarterback in the Doug Williams era,” Burks said. “You can feel the enthusiasm and excitement, simply because Coach Robinson had just retired and Coach Williams was coming in there. There was some excitement. It was just a wonderful opportunity because it was a new transition from a legend to a future legend was great.”</p><p>After he said an injury at Grambling hurt his chances of going to the NFL, he said he started to focus on the next chapter of his life. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in public relations and got his master's in sports administration. </p><p>Burks also joined Williams' staff as a graduate assistant/quarterbacks coach at Grambling. </p><p>He said he had no regrets on how his playing days ended. He didn't receive a lot of playing time at Grambling, but he said most of his success came from coaching two-time SWAC All-American Randy Hymes in 2000 and SWAC All-Time leading passer Bruce Eugene. </p><p>“It was a great opportunity for me because I was able to be a player-coach and mentor to them,” Burks said. “Having played that position, I was able to help them and mentor them.”</p><p>LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL</p><p>Burks, who is a member of the Terrebonne High Hall of Fame, had a short assistant coaching career at Ellender in 2004-05. He later moved to the Dallas area, where he resides today. </p><p>He has a job working as an advertising solutions consultant, and he is an event operations worker at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He said he has worked for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, a fellow former Arkansas player, in various gameday roles at Cowboys Stadium.</p><p>“It's a huge blessing to work with Jerry Jones,” Burks said. “Everything is going really well for me. I really can't complain.”</p><p>Burks is still involved in sports. He volunteers his time as a football and basketball official in the Fort Worth area.</p><p>He has a son named Mekhai, 7, who is following in his father's footsteps as a young flag football player. </p><p>“I'm just hoping that he falls in love with the sports as well,” Burks said. “It will have opportunity to follow him.”</p><p>Burks said the game of football was a way of life for him, and his talents provided a way for him to live his dreams.</p><p>But he said it was the support of family, friends, coaches and teammates that kept him going. </p><p>“I pretty much tip my hat off to the whole community in Houma,” Burks said. “Our local community has rallied around me. I'm just proud to say I'm from Terrebonne Parish. I just appreciate all of the support they have given me.”</p>